4 cups good quality chicken broth (or homemade) |
1 star anise (or substitute 1/4 t. anise seeds, fennel seeds, or caraway seeds for a similar flavor) |
1 cinnamon stick (optional) |
1 teaspoon garlic, minced |
1 teaspoon minced fresh ginger |
2 teaspoons soy sauce |
1/2 teaspoon sesame oil |
1/8 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional) |
6 ounces sirloin steaks (slice very thin across the grain) |
10 medium frozen shrimp (fresh is good, too) |
1/4 medium white onion (thinly sliced) |
4 leaves bok choy (optional) |
1 green onion (sliced into little rounds) |
1/4 cup cilantro (2 fresh sprigs) or 1/4 cup basil (2 fresh sprigs) or 1/4 cup mint leaf (2 fresh sprigs) |
1 cup bean sprouts |
1 small lime (to squeeze over soup) |